David Bates

David Bates is an Oregon journalist with more than 20 years as a newspaper editor and reporter in the Willamette Valley, covering virtually every topic imaginable and with a strong background in arts/culture journalism. He has lived in Yamhill County since 1996 and is working as a freelance writer. He has a long history of involvement in the theater arts, acting and on occasion directing for Gallery Players of Oregon and other area theaters. You can also find him on Substack, where he writes about art and culture at Artlandia.

Yamhill County calendar: Linfield portfolios; Chehalem center begins conversations on the arts

Though the pandemic led to the demise of several wine-country arts groups, others are gearing up for summer.

Arvie Smith show at Hallie Ford Museum demands you straighten up your spine and look

The Portland artist’s paintings, at the Salem museum through March 26, tackle American history, culture, and racial injustice.

McMinnville Short Film Festival: Women and trauma onscreen, new leadership ahead

The 11th annual event returns to an in-person format with an epic vibe and changes afoot for next year.

McMinnville Short Film Festival returns this week for its 11th season

A “film festival for filmmakers”, MSFF brings together national and local artists with an array of culturally diverse screenings, events, and gatherings

Hallie Ford Museum: ‘Depth of Field’ presents snapshot of Northwest photography

The images, from the collection of photographer Bill Rhoades, run from the New Deal to the present and include work by famous Oregon photographers.

McMinnville Short Film Festival: Jennifer Kramer follows in famous father’s footsteps

The daughter of Stanley Kramer has a film, "NAKUSA," in next month's festival.

Yamhill County calendar: Chehalem Cultural Center kicks off 2022 with an MLK Day celebration, followed by a gallery show on climate change

And in Salem, the Hallie Ford Museum showcases Northwest photography, as well as Arvie Smith's paintings exploring race and identity.

‘Time in Place’ tells the story of Oregon over 9,000 years through art from the Hallie Ford Museum’s permanent collection

The 60-plus pieces in the Salem show include work by Elizabeth Conrad Hickox, Andrew McDuffie Vincent, Carl Hall, April Waters, and Henk Pander.

Yamhill County gallery calendar: From contemplative landscapes to the hard work of agriculture

Chehalem Cultural Center showcases local artists, and new owners plan to bring the long-shuttered Mack Theater back to life.

Claudia Cave’s playful visions

A little bit of architecture and a little bit of Dr. Seuss mix it up in the Oregon artist's Hallie Ford Museum show.

Yamhill County calendar: Women, agriculture, diversity

Local galleries and theaters share common themes this fall.

Bethany Lee: ‘The more I wrote poetry, the more it formed me’

The poet and Quaker minister talks about her books, hospice work, and the connection between poetry and science.

Theater update: Open, closed, and on hiatus

Plus, Yamhill County galleries offer impressionistic paintings and clocks with an attitude.

Ryan Findley: From doing gutters to the set for ‘Lorelei’

The McMinnville actor and construction contractor says he is selective about the roles he accepts.

Paper Gardens reaches out to readers with curiosity, empathy

The 28th annual anthology features the work of adults and children in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Black art matters

In a Newberg exhibit, Black artists confront racism, as well as speak to the experience of being human.

Charlie Hyman: Pictures that warrant a closer look

Yamhill County calendar: Besides the photography show, the summer promises theater, music, poetry.

Gallery Theater steps back on the boards

The McMinnville theater reopens with Lance Nuttman in a one-man show about the nature of inspiration.

Art from the quarantine life

Artists emerge from the shutdown with work created in isolation, and live theater returns to the Yamhill County stage.

Joe Wilkins: ‘I’m always writing poems’

The Oregon Book Award finalist talks about poetry collections, the Western sensibility, and his love of chapbooks.

Lisa Brinkman: ‘A collaboration of life with Nature’

The artist’s eco prints, at the Chehalem Cultural Center, are an earthy mix of abstraction, symbolism, and collage.

Spring awakenings in Yamhill County

The pandemic thaw continues, with a lecture by Trystan Reese, music, visual art, and a camillia fest.

Pictures worth more than a thousand words

A narrative art exhibit at the Chehalem Cultural Center tells stories that “provide insight into the human condition.”

Remembering ‘Forgotten Stories’ of the Great Depression

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art exhibits 70 pieces produced by Northwest artists during the New Deal.

And the winner is… the McMinnville Short Film Festival

Last month’s all-virtual festival receives rave reviews, and we tell you which films took home the honors.

Linfield University hits its streaming stride

Poetry, podcasts, theater, dance, and music are all available virtually from the McMinnville school.

How to make an American quilt

A conversation about the difference between America's ideals and its reality leads to a Newberg fiber arts show.

McMinnville Short Film Festival: Good things in small packages

The 10-day festival starts this week, bringing 127 films, none longer than 20 minutes, to the comfort of your home.

McMinnville Short Film Festival gets real

Documentaries play a big role in the festival, with particular focus on the environment and Native Americans.

Derek Sitter: Exploring the ties between privilege and trauma

The Bend filmmaker talks about ‘Tutu Grande’ in the upcoming McMinnville Short Film Festival.